God's Standards Are for All

Day 10 of the 90-day Bible read through, Numbers 4-15. In Numbers 15: 27 "‘Also if one person sins unintentionally, then he shall offer a one year old female goat for a sin offering. 28The priest shall make atonement before the Lord for the person who goes astray when he sins unintentionally, making atonement for him that he may be forgiven. 29You shall have one law for him who does anything unintentionally, for him who is native among the sons of Israel and for the alien who sojourns among them. 30But the person who does anything defiantly, whether he is native or an alien, that one is blaspheming the Lord; and that person shall be cut off from among his people. 31Because he has despised the word of the Lord and has broken His commandment, that person shall be completely cut off; his guilt will be on him.’ ”

The “alien who sojourns among them” held to the same standard as the native Israelites. The only reason this makes sense is that a person must have been in Israel long enough to come to understand the laws and commands of the Lord. The only reason the person could be referred to as one who "despised the word of the Lord and broken His commandments" is that he is aware of them. God is not unjust. We read earlier how those who broke ceremonial laws, becoming unclean, were still guilty but were held accountable once they discovered their sin. In this passage, they know they their actions proved they despised the Lord.

Many sojourners became part of Israel; some were proselytes who converted to the Israeli faith and followed their God. Others lived aware of their God yet did not convert. This happened, especially when Israel finally moved into the land and did not rid themselves of the inhabitants of the nations around them.

These verses remind me that God sets the standards that people are held to no matter who they are. Yes, God demonstrates mercy in their ignorance, yet when they learn the truth, there are no excuses for them not being accountable for obedience. The only things he sees are the rebellious, who will not relent, and those who recognize their sin and repent. God sets eternity in our hearts, so we all understand our need to bow and honor Him. He wants none of us to despise Him.